Vern Brown, 79, died on Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at the Long Term Care Facility at South Peninsula Hospital. Vern was the second child born to Mary E. (Charlton) and Melvin L. Brown on Jan. 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, Calif. His adolescent years were spent in the community of Eagle Rock, Calif., where he attended Eagle Rock High School and graduated in 1955. Vern had many fond memories of that time in his life. He excelled in sports in high school, particularly football, and became a life-long sports fan.

Alaska artist and Homer icon Richard W. “Toby” Tyler, 89, died at South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care Facility in the early morning hours of Dec. 22, 2016.

He was born on July 24, 1927, in Bronxville, N.Y., to Henry Teller Tyler and Wilfred Marvin Wilson Tyler. Three years later, his family drove west to Sacramento, Calif., where he attended school and spent summers camping and hiking in the high Sierra Mountains. It was during the seventh grade that he gained the nickname “Toby.”

World War II veteran and Pioneer Alaskan Will Hodge Tomlinson Jr. died at Homer’s South Peninsula Hospital on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, of natural causes. Will died when he wanted, loved and touched as he left.

He was born on Feb. 18, 1927, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to Will Hodge Tomlinson and Virginia Evelyn Durham.

Sonny Smith, 85, died peacefully at South Peninsula Hospital with his wife Nancy of 51 years at his side. He was born in Austin, Texas. He was a Korean War veteran. He graduated from Texas A&M University. He drove cattle trucks cross country and he loved to ride bulls. Sonny moved to Alaska 1972. He drove trucks in Alaska and worked on the pipeline, the water treatment plant and at the head of Kachemak Bay until he bought the Glacier Drive-In, where he and his wife owned/worked for 31 amazing years.

Paulie Marie Blankenship, 66, died early on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. She died at home from a swift and sudden heart attack, with her husband Harvey Blankenship by her side. “She went home to be with her Lord and Savior,” her family said.

Gary Michael Horrell, 67, died Oct. 28, 2016, in Mill Creek, Wash. A long time Alaskan and former resident of Homer, he was born Feb. 28, 1949, in Anchorage. Gary relocated to Anacortes, Wash., where his grandparents lived and his mother grew up. He was a teacher, coach and education administrator before retiring in 1996, but spent several years coaching in Anacortes area schools, too. Coach Horrell was always inspired by various sports, and many young athletes benefitted from his energy and dedication to the field.

Fredric was born Saturday, Nov. 29, 1930, to Adolph and Eileen (Champion) Linder in Spokane, Wash., where he later graduated high school. After graduation, he joined the Marine Corps, earning the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge in February of 1950.

Homer resident Mr. James Patrick Nestor, 56, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, at his home in Homer.

No services will be held at this time.

Mr. Nestor was born March 4, 1960, in Evergreen Park, Ill. He graduated from Oaklawn High School in 1978. He received an associate’s degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1987. In 1985 he worked for Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., up until 1987. In 1987 he worked for West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, Mich.

He was born Oct. 12, 1945, in Marysville, Calif., and his early childhood was on a ranch/farm surrounded by fruit orchards near Sacramento. He had many adventures raising turkeys, chickens and other farm animals. So many of his great stories came from experiences there and throughout the orchards. His memory was awesome and most of the stories were true.

Homer resident Jimmie Watkins, 70, died Sept. 22, 2016, in Anchorage. A memorial service is 4-7 p.m. Oct. 12, 2016, at the American Legion Post 16, Mile 2 East End Road. A remembrance begins at 5:15 p.m. Hot dogs, hamburgers and fried chicken will be served; please bring a side dish to share.

He was born Oct. 12, 1945, in Marysville, Calif., and worked as a mechanic for his business, Port Engineering. He is survived by his wife, Gwen Watkins. His ashes will be scattered later.